Mode of attaching horses to shafts of vehicles



G. B. KAIGHN. ATTAGHING HORSES T0 SHAPTS.

.NO. 15,103. Patented June 10, 1856.

UNTTED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

GEORGE B. KAIGHN, OF LUMBERTON, NEW JERSEY.

MODE 0]? ATTACI-IING HORSES TO SHAFTS OF VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 15,103, dated June 10, 1856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. KAIGHN, of Lumberton, in the county ofBurlington and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in the Mode of Attaching Horses to the Shafts ofBiding-Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specification, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view showingthe invention as applied to a horse withln the shafts; Fig. 2 aplan viewof the same when the horse is detached; Fig. 3, a slde view of one ofthe metallic, swivel-tugs which are attached to the hames for supporting and controlling the ends of the shafts; and Fig. 4, an end viewof the breeching holderlike letters indicating the same objects when onthe diiferent figures.

The nature of my invention consists in providing metallic loops or tugsto the hames for supporting and controlling the ends of the shafts;making the breeching a permanent adjustable part of the shafts; andpassing the braces around pulleys and attaching their rear ends togetherat the back end of the shafts; all so as to dispense with the saddle,belly bands, crupper, and breech supporting bands, and also with thewhlflle treethereby greatly reducing the weight upon the horse, and alsothe cost of harness, and increasing the facilities for attaching anddetaching the horse.

Referring to the drawingsA, A are the shafts of a light vehicle; B, B,the harness; C, the collar; D, D,-the traces; and E, the breeching.

The shafts are made in the usual manner, with the addition of two smallpulleys (a, 0.1,) placed vertically so as to rotate in mortises madethrough the cross piece F, at the back part of the shaftsthe usual whiffletree being dispensed with, and the traces (D, D,) made long enough topass through the mortises, and in contact with the pulleys (a, a,) andunited together within a sheath ((Z) by means of suitable pins0r securedtogether in any adjustable and secure mannerand so that the said tracesmay move freely on the pulleys to suit the motions of the horsesshoulders. The forward ends of the traces are hitched by means of a ringor loop (62) to the shanks of the tugs (b, 1),) of the-hames B, B. Thetugs are made of metal and formed with a ring or loop and stem so as toadmit the ends of the shafts loosely within the rings, as shown in thedrawings, and also attached to the hames so as to swivel thereon orturn, to suit any inclination of the shafts. The two parts of the hamesare jointed together at the upper ends, and their lower ends fitted witha hook or strap so as to be readily hooked or buckled together aroundthe collar in the usual manner. The breeching (E) is composed of a thinplate of spring steel or other similar material, covered with leatherand bent into a curve to suit the horse, and so as to be clamped andheld rigidly at each end, between the jaws of two adjustable holders (6e) which are made of metal and so as to be slipped over the shaft, andthen be held firmly at any suitable place thereon, by means of a setscrew (1) on the under sidethe jaws being operated by means of a smallclamping screw (2)all substantially as shown in the drawings.

Operation: The horse being bridled and collared as usual, is placedunder and between the elevated shafts, which have the hames (B B),traces (D D) and breeching (E) attached thereto as shown in thedrawings. The hames and shafts are now pressed outwardly and the formerbrought down around the collar and hooked togetherthus harnessing andsecurely at-- taching the horse to the vehicle (as shown in Fig. 1,) inthe space of a few momentsthe driving reins (G) having been keptpermanently attached to the bridle. The breeching (E) and traces (D, D)require but one adjustment to suit the length and size of the particularhorse, after which they are intended to remain with the harness aspermanent fixtures upon the shafts. In detaching, all that is necessaryis to open the hames, raise the shafts and walk the horse out.

It will be now perceived that the saddle and belly bands, crupper, andbreech supporting bands, hitherto required, are entirely dispensed with,thus reducing the cost, and also the weight upon the horse; avoiding theheating and chafing incident to the saddles and bands hitherto used; andalso that the whiffle tree, hitherto necessary, is not required, and thetrouble and time re quired for attaching and detaching these sisting ofthe band (E) and the adjustable holders -(c, e,), or their equivalents)a per manent and adjustable part of the said shafts; and attaching theback ends of the traces (D, D,) together at the back end of the saidshafts so as to bear against, and move on the pulleys (a, a,) inaccordance With the forward motions of the horse; the Whole: beingarranged and operating together substantially as described and setforth, and for the purpose of dispensing with the usual saddle, bellybands, crupper, breech supporting straps, and Whiflle tree, and thusfacilitating in connecting and disconnecting horses and vehicles, asdescribed.

GEORGE B. KAIGHN.

Witnesses BENJ. MomsoN, J NO. B. KENNEY.

